Joan Collins becomes a dame

Joan Collins has been made a dame - and plans to celebrate with a "huge party".

The 81-year-old actress admitted she was "so thrilled" to have been presented with the honour by Prince Charles in an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace earlier today (26.03.15), and can't wait to celebrate the accolade with a big bash this evening.

When asked how she will commemorate the achievement, she said: "I've got a load of people waiting for me right now and I'm having a huge party tonight.

"I'm so thrilled. It is extraordinary. It's something I never, ever would've expected. I'm terribly, terribly honoured. I really am. And I hope I can live up to what being a dame means."

Despite receiving her new title, the 'Dynasty' star insists she won't ever ask any of her friends or family to refer to her as Dame Joan.

She explained: "I will not ask anybody. If they choose to call me Dame Joan I will be delighted. But people will still call me Joan."

The 'Royals' star - who received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1983 - trained to be an actress at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London but admits she didn't become a TV and movie star in the hope of one day being a dame.

Speaking to ITV News, she added: "When you go to RADA becoming a dame or a knight or getting any kind of award is not something that is expected.

"You're expected to go to learn how to be an actor or an actress and learn to be good enough so that you can make a living for the rest of your life.